BPI FILES DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST ABC NEWS

Beef Products Inc. (BPI) filed suit on Sept. 13 against ABC News, three of its reporters and other parties, alleging false and disparaging statements about Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) caused a reduced demand that forced the South Dakota company to cut more than 700 jobs and close three processing facilities.

The suit, filed in the Circuit Court of Union County, S.D., requests more than $1 billion in damages. ABC reporters Jim Avila and David Kerley and ABC’s World News anchor Diane Sawyer were named as defendants, as were former BPI Quality Assurance Manager Kit Foshee, former Food Safety Inspection Service microbiologist Carl Custer and former USDA microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein.

A press release from BPI summarized the suit, which accuses the defendants of misleading the public despite being informed of conclusions from the USDA, FDA, food safety organizations and numerous beef industry experts that LFTB is safe and nutritious lean beef. In the reports, LFTB was referred to as “pink slime,” a term allegedly coined by Zirnstein.

BPI’s production, the release said, declined from 5 million pounds of LFTB per week to less than 2 million pounds per week as a result of the news reports and subsequent declines in demand.

BPI is being represented by Winston & Strawn, LLP, an international firm with offices in several U.S. states.

“Through nearly 200 false, misleading and defamatory statements, repeated continuously during a month-long disinformation campaign, ABC and other individuals knowingly misled customers into believing that LFTB was not beef and not safe for public consumption, which is completely false,” said Winston & Strawn Chairman Dan Webb. “BPI has filed suit because their business has been severely damaged by this conduct.”

BPI continues its ongoing efforts to correct the disinformation published about its companies and LFTB and to share factual information about LFTB. A copy of the complaint and facts about LFTB are available at http://www.beefisbeef.com.

“The lawsuit is without merit. We will contest it vigorously,”ABC News Senior Vice President Jeffrey Schneider said in a statement published on the company’s website.

In March, BPI closed plants in Amarillo, Texas, Waterloo, Iowa, and Garden City, Kan., while reducing production at its plant in South Sioux City, Neb., after significant drops in sales following the ABC reports.

At least one other beef processing company, AFA Foods, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the wake of the reports on LFTB. AFA has a processing plant in Thomasville, Ga.

September 19, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 38

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 CAES CUTS MEAN DEPARTED EMPLOYEES WON’T BE REPLACED

Under a directive from Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia General Assembly to reduce spending by 3 percent, the University of Georgia is planning to eliminate approximately 130 jobs, 67 of which will come from the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

CAES Dean Scott Angle said in an interview with Georgia Farm Bureau media that the plan was submitted in April, and the number of jobs to be eliminated was determined by taking 3 percent of the CAES budget and dividing that number by the average salary.

Contrary to media reports indicating CAES would delay filling faculty positions appropriated by the legislature this year, Angle said the college is moving forward with hiring those positions, which include a peanut entomologist and fruit and vegetable specialists.

The prescribed cuts were to be achieved through normal attrition - including retirements, employees leaving to take jobs elsewhere and other reasons - rather than layoffs. The budget proposal submitted in April detailed cuts of 40 jobs in Cooperative Extension and 27 from CAES’ agricultural experiment stations.

“It was not targeted toward programs or people necessarily,” Angle said. “We did have to put titles with them because that’s what the state wanted. In reality, we always knew that we would have people ... getting off our payroll for all kinds of reasons, and we had no way of predicting who that would be.”

The college implemented significant manpower reductions in 2010, when state budget woes prompted CAES to restructure its Extension staff around the state. The current round of cuts, Angle said, will make it even more difficult for CAES to meet its core research and outreach missions.

“We’re not going to lay off anyone, but we’re not filling positions, which is just as devastating to our ability to carry out our mission,” he said. “We’ve got some real serious issues. I get calls regularly about why aren’t you hiring an extension agent in this county, and the reason is we’ve had a 28 percent budget cut over four years.” FARM BUREAU LEADS “FARM BILL NOW!” RALLY IN WASHINGTON

With the expiration of the current farm bill quickly approaching, and in the midst of the worst drought in a generation, Farm Bureau members, along with farmers and ranchers from across the

nation, rallied at the nation’s capitol on Sept. 12. The event was endorsed by 88 organizations representing a broad range of commodity groups. The event drew hundreds of participants from across the country, including farmers, congressional members and leaders from agriculture, conservation, energy, consumer and nutrition organizations.

The group urged Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current farm bill expires at the end of September. AFBF is

encouraging Congress to reach agreement on bills passed in the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate. At press time, Congress was expected to adjourn this week and not return until after the elections.

Congressional members who spoke at the event included Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee; Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rep. Collin Peterson, (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Agriculture Committee; and Rep. Kristi Noem, (R-S.D.).

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 GEORGIA GROWN SYMPOSIUM TO PROVIDE MARKETING TIPS

The first Georgia Grown Symposium, scheduled for Nov. 8-9 in Macon, will focus on the production, distribution and the consumer side of food products as part of the state’s Georgia Grown marketing program, which links producers and consumers.

The two-day symposium, titled “Growing Your Business through Georgia Grown,” to be held at the Macon Marriott City Center, will offer participants a variety of workshops, ranging from finance, food safety, contracts and licensing, regulations, economic development and agritourism with workshops led by experts.

The 2012 symposium is open to both Georgia Grown members and non-members. Pre-registration is required to attend; log on to

http://georgiagrownsymposium.eventbrite.com to register and see updates on topics and speakers. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 26. EMERGENCY ANIMAL SHELTER UNVEILED AT FT. VALLEY STATE UNIV.

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Sept. 12 for the new State Animal Facility for Emergencies (SAFE) Center located on the FVSU campus.

The 7,800 square-foot building is intended to provide shelter for pets in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack or animal control situation. The facility, a joint venture of the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, can house up to 80 cats, 105 dogs and 30 horses. The facility will be activated as needed by the GDA, Georgia Emergency Management Agency or other federal, state or local agencies.

“The SAFE Center will be here for any event where people need to bring animals to seek shelter from storms. Fort Valley State University is about reaching out to the community and helping others. This is your university and we want people to get involved,” FVSU President Larry Rivers said. “We hope the SAFE Center will let others feel comfortable coming to Fort Valley State University to explore what we are doing for agriculture.”

Hurricane Katrina was the impetus for the state of Georgia deciding to build a facility to house companion animals in the event of a natural disaster, FVSU College of Agriculture, Family Sciences & Technology Dean Dr. Govind Kannan said.

“Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the plight of companion animals during natural disasters. Some 600,000 pets were killed or left unattended during that storm and 8,000 animals were brought to shelters throughout the Southeast,” Kannan said. “This center will provide hands-on learning for the students in our veterinary technology program. Vets have a large role to play in disaster relief as they decide which animals can be treated and which ones can't. Vets also help reunite animals with their owners.”

“We really needed a central facility for when we encounter a natural disaster in Georgia. Companion animals are a central part of families, and they need a facility to take care of pets,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “The vet tech program here at Fort Valley State University and its central location in the state made it a natural fit to locate the facility here.”

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP September – November Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Suday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 20 5th District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Sept. 25 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 9 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 11 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Oct. 30 8th District South Ga. Technical College 7 p.m. Americus Nov. 1 4th District Greene County High School 7 p.m. Greensboro Nov. 8 6th District Poplar Springs North Bapt. Church 7 p.m. Dublin Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public. 2012 AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 20 University of Georgia Griffin Campus 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Griffin Registration is now being accepted for this unique educational event, sponsored by UGA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Fort Valley State University, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the NRCS. The field day will provide information on ways land value can be enhanced. More than 25 topics will be showcased, including wildlife opening management; pond management; management for wild turkeys, doves and quail; selling and marketing timber; prescribed burning, cost-sharing assistance programs, GPS/GIS use in managing land and invasive insects, disease and plants. Registration is $25 before Sept. 3 and $35 after. Fee includes lunch, and those who register in advance will receive an Agroforestry & Wildlife Field Day baseball cap. For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html. THE FARMER & THE CHEF Sept. 22 The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead The Georgia Chapter of the March of Dimes (MOD) is hosting this fundraising event for its ongoing mission of stronger, healthier babies. Guests will enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by Atlanta-area chefs using ingredients from local farmers. MOD is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association to engage local farmers and chefs to participate in the event. The event will also include live and silent auctions with packages ranging from fine dining, vacation getaways, sports packages and spa packages. Event starts at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tables start at $5,000 with 10 seats per table. For more information please call Joanna Johnson at 404-350-9800 or email jjohnson@marchofdimes.com.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR Sept. 25-27 Various Research Sites Ga. Ala., Fla. Stops include a visit at the University of Florida Citra Research Center, the Lang-Rigdon Farms and Black Shank Farm at UGA’s Tifton Campus and the Wiregrass Experiment Station in Headland, Ala. For more information or to RSVP, contact Dr. Albert Culbreath at 229-386-3370 or spotwilt@uga.edu. EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON RFS WAIVER REQUESTS In response to requests to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements from governors of several states, including Georgia’s Nathan Deal, the EPA is seeking public comments. The EPA has the authority to waive the RFS standard if its implementation would cause severe economic or environmental harm. Those requesting a waiver contend that short supplies of grain used in ethanol production have resulted in severe price increases for livestock feed. Interested parties have until Oct. 11 to submit written comments. The original deadline was Sept. 26, but the EPA granted a 15-day extension. To submit a comment, visit http://tinyurl.com/9asme8u. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: Sept. 30 Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Dates vary Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), check with FSA service center for dates) and Crop Insurance (Contact a crop insurance agent or the regional Risk Management Agency (RMA) office.) For more information about FSA programs visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. ELECTRIC FENCE TRAINING Oct. 3 Chandler Farm, 416 Chandler Farm Rd. 12:30 p.m. Hull This free training seminar begins at 12:30 p.m. following the Broad River Soil & Water Conservation District meeting. A representative from Gallagher USA will discuss various products and technical aspects of electric fencing, with particular emphasis on grounding and lightning protection systems. Those interested in attending should RSVP to NRCS Grassland Conservationist Philip Brown at 706-678-2630. NRCS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION GRANTS The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications until Oct. 15 for grants intended to help farmers fund projects that will make their farms more drought tolerant. The NRCS is offering up to $5 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to evaluate and demonstrate farming practices that help producers adapt to drought. Funds will be awarded through a competitive grants process for projects lasting one to three years. NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate: cropping or grazing systems that increase drought resiliency through improved soil health; increases available soil water holding capacity by enhancing organic matter with reduced tillage, cover crops and organic amendments; uses drought resistant plants in coordination with the NRCS Plant Material Centers; or improves water efficiency. To apply, visit http://www.grants.gov or contact the NRCS National CIG office at 703-235-8065.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 HAWKINSVILLE HARVEST FEST/PIGS & PRODUCE BARBECUE CONTEST Oct. 26 & 27 Courthouse Square Hawkinsville Better Hometown of Hawkinsville will host the annual Harvest Fest featuring the Pigs and Produce barbecue competition, an official contest sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association. Along with some great professional barbecue teams and some very interesting ancillary categories, Hawkinsville will host two very unique events at this festival: The first ever Georgia State Boiled Peanut Championship sponsored by Hardy Farms Peanuts and the Old vs. New Faceoff. The head-to-head Old vs. New Faceoff contest will be held on the courthouse square in downtown Hawkinsville between barbecue legend Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South and his son, Michael Mixon of Jack’s New South. Entrants in the Boiled Peanut Championship must use peanuts provided by Hardy Farms, must cook the peanuts on site and must present a sample for judging at the specified judging time. Entry fee for the Boiled Peanut Championship is $25. The GBA contest is open to GBA registered competitors. Fees $85 in each of three categories: Ribs, pulled pork and pork loin. There are also four ancillary contests at the event. The others are: Chicken, Brunswick stew, barbecue sauce and people’s choice. The fees for those contests are also $25 each. A limited number of spaces are available and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit http://www.hawkinsvilleharvestfest.com for more information. AG, ENGINEERING AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREER FAIR AT UGA Nov. 7 UGA Tate Student Center Noon – 4 p.m. Athens The University of Georgia is looking for companies needing a few good hires or summer interns. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=4516 for more information. Companies that want to register for the fair should visit career.uga.edu/hireuga or email LeAnn Golob at leann@uga.edu. INSECT UPDATES Check the Cotton Insect Hotline (1-800-851-2847) for updates on current insect conditions. The Cotton Pest Management Newsletter and additional cotton production information is also posted on the UGA Cotton Homepage at: http://www.ugacotton.com ORDER YOUR AG TAG OR EQUINE TAG TODAY Orders are now being taken at county tag offices for the Support Agriculture in Georgia Tag and the Equine Tag.